Phase angle measurement of a dimming circuit for a switching power supply

ABSTRACT

An example controller for a switched mode power supply includes a zero-crossing detector and a drive signal generator. The zero-crossing detector is coupled to generate a zero-crossing signal representative of a phase angle of a dimmer output voltage for a half line cycle of the power supply. The drive signal generator controls switching of a switch to regulate an output of the power supply in response to a feedback signal representative of the output. The drive signal generator further controls switching of the switch to adjust dimming of the output of the power supply in response to the phase angle indicated by the zero-crossing signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/702,963, filed Feb. 9, 2010, now pending. U.S. patent applicationSer. No.12/702,963 is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to power supplies, and morespecifically to power supplies utilized with dimmer circuits.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Electronic devices use power to operate. Switched mode power suppliesare commonly used due to their high efficiency, small size and lowweight to power many of today's electronics. Conventional wall socketsprovide a high voltage alternating current. In a switching power supplya high voltage alternating current (ac) input is converted to provide awell regulated direct current (dc) output through an energy transferelement. The switched mode power supply control circuit usually providesoutput regulation by sensing one or more inputs representative of one ormore output quantities and controlling the output in a closed loop. Inoperation, a switch is utilized to provide the desired output by varyingthe duty cycle (typically the ratio of the on time of the switch to thetotal switching period), varying the switching frequency or varying thenumber of pulses per unit time of the switch in a switched mode powersupply.

In one type of dimming for lighting applications, a triac dimmer circuittypically removes a portion of the ac input voltage to limit the amountof voltage and current supplied to an incandescent lamp. This is knownas phase dimming because it is often convenient to designate theposition of the missing voltage in terms of a fraction of the period ofthe ac input voltage measured in degrees. In general, the ac inputvoltage is a sinusoidal waveform and the period of the ac input voltageis referred to as a full line cycle. As such, half the period of the acinput voltage is referred to as a half line cycle. An entire period has360 degrees, and a half line cycle has 180 degrees. Typically, the phaseangle is a measure of how many degrees (from a reference of zerodegrees) of each half line cycle the dimmer circuit removes. As such,removal of half the ac input voltage in a half line cycle by the triacdimmer circuit corresponds to a phase angle of 90 degrees. In anotherexample, removal of a quarter of the ac input voltage in a half linecycle may correspond to a phase angle of 45 degrees.

Although phase angle dimming works well with incandescent lamps thatreceive the altered ac input voltage directly, it typically createsproblems for light emitting diode (LED) lamps. LED lamps require aregulated power supply to provide regulated current and voltage from theac power line. Conventional regulated power supply controllers typicallydon't respond desirably to a removal of a portion of the ac inputvoltage by a triac dimmer circuit. Regulated power supplies aretypically designed to ignore distortions of the ac input voltage. Theirpurpose is to deliver a constant regulated output until a low inputvoltage causes them to shut off completely. As such, conventionalregulated power supplies would not dim the LED lamp. Unless a powersupply for an LED lamp is specially designed to recognize and respond tothe voltage from a triac dimmer circuit in a desirable way, a triacdimmer is likely to produce unacceptable results such as flickering ofthe LED lamp, flashing of the LED lamp at high phase angles, and colorshifting of the LED lamp. Thus, a power supply may include an improvedconventional power supply controller that is designed to respond to atriac dimmer circuit by directly sensing the average value of the dimmercircuit output (in other words, the average value of the ac inputvoltage after the triac dimmer circuit has removed a portion of the acinput voltage) to determine the amount of dimming requested. In general,a smaller average value of the dimmer circuit output would correspond toa removal of a greater portion of the ac input voltage and thus a largerphase angle. As such, the improved conventional power supply controllerutilizes this relationship to indirectly determine the phase angle andalter the quantity to which the output of the power supply is regulated.However, by indirectly measuring the phase angle in this manner, theamount of dimming detected (and hence the quantity to which the outputof the power supply is regulated) is subject to variances of the acinput voltage. In other words, the accuracy of the phase angle measuredthrough the average value of the dimmer circuit output is dependant onvariances of the ac input voltage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of severalembodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from thefollowing more particular description thereof, presented in conjunctionwith the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example switchingpower supply with a dimmer circuit utilizing a controller in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example rectified input voltagewaveform of the switching power supply of FIG. 1 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a section of the example rectifiedinput voltage of FIG. 2A and corresponding zero-crossing signal inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating another example rectified inputvoltage waveform of a switching power supply in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a section of the example rectifiedinput voltage of FIG. 3A and corresponding zero-crossing signal inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a controller in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a digital to analog converter ofFIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating example counts of a counter of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an example line-synchronizedoscillator of FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of variousembodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understoodelements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasibleembodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a lessobstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a controller and power supply for phase angle measurementof a dimming circuit are described herein. In the following descriptionnumerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art willrecognize, however, that the techniques described herein can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with othermethods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particularfeature, structure or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”,“in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features,structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitablecombinations and/or subcombinations in one or more embodiments orexamples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures providedherewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled inthe art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

For phase dimming applications, including those for light emittingdiodes (LED), a phase dimmer circuit typically removes a portion of theac input voltage at every half line cycle to limit the amount of voltageand current supplied to the LEDs. As mentioned above, typically, thephase angle is a measure of how many degrees of each half line cycle thedimmer circuit removes. For example, the half line cycle of the ac inputvoltage may have a total of 180 degrees. As such, removal of half the acinput voltage in a half line cycle by the dimmer circuit corresponds toa phase angle of 90 degrees. In another example, removal of a quarter ofthe ac input voltage in a half line cycle may correspond to a phaseangle of 45 degrees.

For embodiments of the present invention, the phase angle is directlymeasured through the zero-crossing of the ac input voltage for a moreaccurate measurement. The zero-crossing generally refers to when the acinput voltage crosses zero voltage. Or in other words, the zero-crossingrefers to when the magnitude of the ac input voltage changes frompositive to negative or from negative to positive. However, thezero-crossing may also generally refer to when a signal is substantiallynear zero voltage. Determining the duration of the zero-crossing of theoutput of the dimmer circuit (in other words the ac input voltage afterthe dimmer circuit has removed a portion of the ac input voltage) wouldsignal to the power supply controller that a dimmer circuit is beingutilized in addition to the amount of dimming applied. In embodiments ofthe present invention, determining the duration of the zero-crossing ofthe output dimmer circuit would directly measure the phase angle. Assuch, the measured phase angle and the amount of dimming detected wouldbe less subject to variances of the ac input voltage.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of an exampleswitching power supply 100 is illustrated including ac input voltageV_(AC) 102, a dimmer circuit 104, a dimmer output voltage V_(DO) 106, arectifier 108, a rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110, an energy transferelement T1 112 with a primary winding 114 and a secondary winding 116, aswitch SP 118, an input return 120, a clamp circuit 122, a filtercapacitor C_(F) 124, a rectifier D1 126, an output capacitor C1 128, anoutput quantity U_(O), an output voltage V_(O), an output current I_(O),a feedback circuit 132, a feedback signal U_(FB) 134, a controller 136,a drive signal 138, a current sense input signal 140, a voltage senseinput signal 142, and switch current I_(D) 144. Also illustrated in FIG.1 is a load 130 coupled to the output of switching power supply 100. Theexample switching power supply 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configuredgenerally as a flyback regulator, which is one example of a switchingpower supply topology which may benefit from the teachings of thepresent invention. However, it is appreciated that other knowntopologies and configurations of switching power supply regulators mayalso benefit from the teachings of the present invention.

The switching power supply 100 provides output power to the load 130from an unregulated input voltage. In one embodiment, the input voltageis the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102. In another embodiment, the inputvoltage is a rectified ac input voltage such as rectified voltageV_(RECT) 110. As shown, dimmer circuit 104 receives the ac input voltageV_(AC) 102 and produces the dimmer output voltage V_(DO) 106. In oneembodiment, the dimmer circuit 104 may be a phase dimming circuit suchas a triac phase dimmer The dimmer circuit 104 further couples to therectifier 108 and the dimmer output voltage V_(DO) 106 is received bythe rectifier 108. The rectifier 108 outputs rectified voltage V_(RECT)110. In one embodiment, rectifier 108 may be a bridge rectifier. Therectifier 108 further couples to the energy transfer element T1 112. Insome embodiments of the present invention, the energy transfer elementT1 112 may be a coupled inductor. In other embodiments, the energytransfer element T1 112 may be a transformer. In the example of FIG. 1,the energy transfer element T1 112 includes two windings, a primarywinding 114 and a secondary winding 116. However, it should beappreciated that the energy transfer element T1 112 may have more thantwo windings. The primary winding 114 is further coupled to switch SP118, which is then further coupled to input return 120. In oneembodiment, the switch SP 118 may be a transistor such as ametal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). In anotherexample, controller 136 may be implemented as a monolithic integratedcircuit or may be implemented with discrete electrical components or acombination of discrete and integrated components. Controller 136 andswitch SP 118 could form part of an integrated circuit 146 that ismanufactured as either a hybrid or monolithic integrated circuit.

In addition, the clamp circuit 122 is illustrated in the embodiment ofFIG. 1 as being coupled across the primary winding 114 of the energytransfer element T1 112. The filter capacitor C_(F) 124 may coupleacross the primary winding 114 and switch SP 118. In other words, thefilter capacitor C_(F) 124 may couple to the rectifier 108 and inputreturn 120. Secondary winding 116 of the energy transfer element T1 112is coupled to the rectifier D1 126. In the example of FIG. 1, therectifier D1 126 is exemplified as a diode. However, in some embodimentsthe rectifier D1 126 may be a transistor used as a synchronousrectifier. Both the output capacitor C1 128 and the load 130 are shownin FIG. 1 as being coupled to the rectifier D1 126. An output isprovided to the load 130 and may be provided as either a regulatedoutput voltage V_(O), regulated output current I_(O), or a combinationof the two. In one embodiment, the load 130 may be a light emittingdiode (LED) array.

The switched mode power supply 100 further comprises circuitry toregulate the output which is exemplified as output quantity U_(O). Ingeneral, the output quantity U_(O) is either an output voltage V_(O),output current I_(O), or a combination of the two. A feedback circuit132 is coupled to sense the output quantity U_(O) from the output of theswitched mode power supply 100 and produces the feedback signal U_(FB)134. In other embodiments, the feedback signal U_(FB) may be derivedfrom sensing one or more quantities on the input side of the transformerthat are representative of the output quantity U_(O). The feedbackcircuit 132 is further coupled to a terminal of the controller 136 suchthat the controller 136 receives the feedback signal U_(FB) 134. Thecontroller 136 further includes a terminal for receiving the currentsense input signal 140. The current sense input signal 140 isrepresentative of the switch current I_(D) 144 in the switch SP 118. Inaddition, the switch SP 118 receives the drive signal 138 from thecontroller 136. In addition, the controller 136 may also include aterminal for receiving the voltage sense input signal 142. In theexample of FIG. 1, the voltage sense input signal 142 is representativeof the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110. However, in other embodiments thevoltage sense signal 142 may be representative of the dimmer outputvoltage V_(DO) 106.

In operation, the switching power supply 100 of FIG. 1 provides outputpower to the load 130 from an unregulated input such as the ac inputvoltage V_(AC) 102. The dimmer circuit 104 may be utilized when the load130 of the switching power supply 100 is a LED array to limit the amountof power delivered to the power supply. As a result the currentdelivered to the load of LED arrays is limited and the LED array dims.As mentioned above, the dimmer circuit 104 may be a phase dimmer circuitsuch as a triac dimmer circuit. The dimmer circuit 104 disconnects theac input voltage V_(AC) 102 when the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 crosseszero voltage. After a given amount of time, the dimmer circuit 104reconnects the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 with the power supply 100. Inother words, the dimmer circuit 104 may interrupt the phase of the acinput voltage V_(AC) 102. Depending on the amount of dimming wanted thedimmer circuit 104 controls the amount of time the ac input voltageV_(AC) 102 is disconnected from the power supply. In general, the moredimming wanted corresponds to a longer period of time during which thedimming circuit 104 disconnects the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102. As willbe further discussed, the phase angle may be determined by measuring theperiod of time during which the dimming circuit 104 disconnects the acinput voltage V_(AC) 102.

The dimmer circuit 104 produces the dimmer output voltage V_(DO) 106which is received by rectifier 108. The rectifier 108 produces therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110. The filter capacitor C_(F) 124 filtersthe high frequency current from the switch SP 118. For otherapplications, the filter capacitor C_(F) 124 may be large enough suchthat a substantially dc voltage is applied to the energy transferelement T1 112. However, for power supplies with power factor correction(PFC), a small filter capacitor C_(F) 124 may be utilized to allow thevoltage applied to the energy transfer element T1 112 to substantiallyfollow the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110. As such, the value of thefilter capacitor C_(F) 124 may be chosen such that the voltage on thefilter capacitor C_(F) 124 reaches substantially zero during eachhalf-line cycle of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102. Or in other words,the voltage on the filter capacitor C_(F) 124 substantially follows thepositive magnitude of the dimmer output voltage V_(DO) 106. As such, thecontroller 136 may detect when the dimmer circuit 104 disconnects the acinput voltage V_(AC) 102 from the power supply 100 by sensing thevoltage on the filter capacitor C_(F) 124 (or in other words therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110). In another embodiment, the controller136 may detect when the dimmer circuit 104 disconnects the ac inputvoltage V_(AC) 102 from the power supply 100 by sensing the switchcurrent I_(D) 144.

The switching power supply 100 utilizes the energy transfer element T1112 to transfer voltage between the primary 114 and the secondary 116windings. The clamp circuit 122 is coupled to the primary winding 114 tolimit the maximum voltage on the switch SP 118. Switch SP 118 is openedand closed in response to the drive signal 138. It is generallyunderstood that a switch that is closed may conduct current and isconsidered on, while a switch that is open cannot conduct current and isconsidered off. In some embodiments, the switch SP 118 may be atransistor and the switch SP 118 and the controller 136 may form part ofintegrated circuit 146. In operation, the switching of the switch SP 118produces a pulsating current at the rectifier D1 126. The current in therectifier D1 126 is filtered by the output capacitor C1 128 to produce asubstantially constant output voltage V_(O), output current I_(O), or acombination of the two at the load 130.

The feedback circuit 132 senses the output quantity U_(O) of the powersupply 100 to provide the feedback signal U_(FB) 134 to the controller136. The feedback signal U_(FB) 134 may be a voltage signal or a currentsignal and provides information regarding the output quantity U_(O) tothe controller 136. In addition, the controller 136 receives the currentsense input signal 140 which relays the switch current I_(D) 144 in theswitch SP 118. The switch current I_(D) 144 may be sensed in a varietyof ways, such as for example the voltage across a discrete resistor orthe voltage across a transistor when the transistor is conducting. Inaddition, the controller 136 may receive the voltage sense input signal142 which relays the value of the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110. Therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 may be sensed a variety of ways, such asfor example through a resistor divider.

The controller 136 may determine the phase angle by utilizing the switchcurrent I_(D) 144 provided by the current sense input signal 140, or therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 provided by the voltage sense inputsignal 142 or a combination of the two. For example, the controller 136measures the length of time during which the dimmer circuit 104disconnects the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 from the power supply 100.In other words, the controller 136 measures the length of time duringwhich the dimmer output voltage V_(DO) 106 and the rectified voltageV_(RECT) 110 are substantially equal to zero voltage. To measure thephase angle, the controller 136 divides the length of time during whichthe dimmer output voltage V_(DO) 106 and the rectified voltage V_(RECT)110 are substantially equal to zero voltage by the length of time of thehalf line cycle. As will be further discussed, the controller 136determines when the dimmer output voltage V_(DO) 106 and the rectifiedvoltage V_(RECT) 110 are substantially equal to zero voltage bydetermining when the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is less than athreshold voltage V_(TH). In addition, the controller 136 may utilize acounter to measure the length of time during which the rectified voltageV_(RECT) 110 is less than a threshold voltage V_(TH).

The controller 136 outputs a drive signal 138 to operate the switch SP118 in response to various system inputs to substantially regulate theoutput quantity U_(O) to the desired value. In one embodiment, the drivesignal 138 may be a rectangular pulse waveform with varying lengths oflogic high and logic low sections, with the logic high valuecorresponding to a closed switch and a logic low corresponding to anopen switch. In another embodiment, the drive signal may be comprised ofsubstantially fixed-length logic high (or ON) pulses and regulated byvarying the number of ON pulses per number of oscillator cycles.

Referring next to FIG. 2A, a diagram of an example waveform of therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 of the switching power supply 100 isillustrated including half line cycle T_(HL) 202, a threshold voltageV_(TH) 204, a peak voltage V_(P) 206, and a section 210. FIG. 2Billustrates the section 210 and corresponding zero-crossing signal 212.The controller utilizes the zero-crossing signal 212 to measure thephase angle and subsequently alter the quantity to which the output ofthe power supply is regulated.

In general, the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 is a sinusoidal waveformwith the period of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 referred to as a fullline cycle. Mathematically: V_(AC)=V_(P) sin(2πf_(L)t). Where V_(P) 206is the peak voltage of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 and f_(L) is thefrequency of the line input voltage. Or in other words, f_(L) is thefrequency of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102. It should be appreciatedthat the full line cycle is the reciprocal of the line frequency f_(L),or mathematically: full line cycle=1/f_(L). Further, the half line cycleT_(HL) 202 is the reciprocal of double the line frequency, ormathematically:

$T_{HL} = {\frac{1}{2f_{L}}.}$

The rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is the resultant output of therectifier 108 and the dimming circuit 104. For the example of FIG. 2A,the beginning of each half line cycle T_(HL) 202 of the rectifiedvoltage V_(RECT) 110 is substantially equal to zero voltagecorresponding to when the dimmer circuit 104 disconnects the ac inputvoltage V_(AC) 102 from the power supply. When the dimmer circuit 104reconnects the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 to the power supply, therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 substantially follows the positivemagnitude of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102. Or mathematically:V_(RECT)=|V_(DO)|.

For some embodiments the threshold voltage V_(TH) 204 is substantiallyequal to zero. For other embodiments, the threshold voltage V_(TH) 204is substantially one fifth of the peak voltage V_(P) 206 of therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110. In one example, if the peak voltageV_(P) 206 of the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is substantially equalto 125 V, the threshold voltage V_(TH) 204 is substantially equal to 25V. In another embodiment, the threshold voltage V_(TH) 204 issubstantially one fourth of the peak voltage V_(P) 206 of the rectifiedvoltage V_(RECT) 110. It should be appreciated that as the value of thethreshold voltage V_(TH) 204 is closer to zero voltage, the moreaccurate the zero-crossing signal 212 indicates that the rectifiedvoltage V_(RECT) 110 is substantially equal to zero. However, the closerthe value of the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is to zero voltage themore difficult it may be for embodiments of controller 136 to sense thevalue of the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110. In particular, thecontroller 136 may have some difficulty sensing the value of therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 through the switch current I_(D) 144provided by the current sense signal 140 when the rectified voltageV_(RECT) 110 is at or near zero voltage. As such embodiments ofcontroller 136 may have a non-zero threshold voltage V_(TH) 204 to allowthe sensing of the zero-voltage condition when the value of therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is at or near zero voltage. In addition,the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 may not reach zero due in part to theselected value of the filter capacitor C_(F) 124.

FIG. 2B illustrates the section 210 of the rectified voltage V_(RECT)110 and the corresponding zero-crossing signal 212. Embodiments of thepresent invention utilize the zero-crossing signal 212 to determine thephase angle and subsequently the amount of dimming for the power supply100. When the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is less than the thresholdvoltage V_(TH) 204, the zero-crossing signal 212 is in a state whichindicates that the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is less than thethreshold voltage V_(TH) 204. The zero-crossing signal 212 is arectangular pulse waveform with logic high and logic low sections. Forthe example illustrated in FIG. 2B, when the rectified voltage V_(RECT)110 is less than the threshold voltage V_(TH) 204, the value of thezero-crossing signal 212 is logic high. When the rectified voltageV_(RECT) 110 is greater than threshold voltage V_(TH) 204, the value ofthe zero-crossing signal 212 is logic low. As mentioned above, therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 follows the positive magnitude of the acinput voltage V_(AC) 102 once the dimmer circuit 104 reconnects the acinput voltage V_(AC) 102 to the power supply 100. As such, determiningwhen the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is near zero voltage wouldcorrespond to detecting when the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 crosseszero voltage, hence the term “zero-crossing.”

However, since the dimmer circuit 104 disconnects the ac input voltageV_(AC) 102 from the power supply, subsequent portions of the rectifiedvoltage V_(RECT) 110 are substantially equal to zero. As such, thezero-crossing signal 212 is in a state which indicates that therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is less than the threshold voltage V_(TH)204. For the example shown in FIG. 2B, the zero-crossing signal 212would be a logic high value. The phase angle is a measure of how manydegrees of each half line cycle T_(HL) 202 the dimmer circuit removesfrom the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102. Therefore by measuring the lengthof time during which the zero-crossing signal 212 is in a state whichindicates that the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is less than thethreshold voltage V_(TH) 204 (i.e. logic high in the example) thecontroller 136 may measure the phase angle. For FIG. 2B, the length oftime during which the zero-crossing signal is at the logic high value isdenoted by T_(Z) 218, herein referred to as the zero-crossing pulsewidth T_(Z) 218. In accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention, the phase angle (expressed in degrees) may be calculated bydividing the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 218 by the half line cycleT_(HL) 202, or mathematically:

${phase}\mspace{14mu} {{angle}\left( {{expressed}\mspace{14mu} {in}\mspace{14mu} {degrees}} \right)} = {\frac{T_{Z}}{T_{HL}}{(180).}}$

As mentioned above, typical dimming systems determine the amount ofdimming by measuring the average value of the ac input voltage after thedimmer circuit has removed a portion of the ac input voltage. A smalleraverage value of the dimmer circuit output would correspond to a largerphase angle. As such, the typical controller utilizes this relationshipto indirectly determine the phase angle and alter the quantity which theoutput of the power supply is regulated to. However, by indirectlymeasuring the phase angle in this manner, the amount of dimming detected(and hence the quantity which the output of the power supply isregulated to) would be subject to variances of the ac input voltage. Inother words, the accuracy of the phase angle measured through theaverage value of the dimmer circuit output would be dependant onvariances of the ac input voltage. By counting the length of thezero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 218 and comparing it to the half linecycle T_(HL) 202, the controller 136 may calculate the phase angle ofthe dimmer circuit 104 and determine the amount of dimming neededindependent of the shape of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 andindependent of variations in the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102. As such,the controller 136 may more accurately determine the phase angle and theamount of dimming and the measured phase angle would be less subject tovariances of the ac input voltage.

The amount of dimming wanted corresponds to the length of time duringwhich the dimmer circuit 104 disconnects the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102from the power supply. It should be appreciated that the dimmer circuit104 also includes an input (not shown) which provides the dimmer circuit104 with information regarding the amount of dimming wanted. The longerthe dimmer circuit 104 disconnects the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 fromthe power supply, the longer the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 issubstantially equal to zero voltage. As a result, the length of thezero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 218 corresponds to the amount of dimmingprovided by the dimmer circuit 104 and the corresponding phase angle.

As will be further discussed, the controller 136 uses a counter todetermine the length of the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 218. Thecounter starts counting when the zero-crossing signal 212 pulses to thelogic high value, indicated in FIG. 2B by start time t_(START) 214. Thecounter stops counting when the zero-crossing signal 212 pulses to thelogic low value, indicated in FIG. 2B by stop time t_(STOP) 216. Thecount at stop time t_(STOP) 216 which is outputted from the counter isone example of the measurement of the length of the zero-crossing pulsewidth T_(Z) 218. In one embodiment of the present invention, the countermay continue counting for the length of half line cycle T_(HL) 202 andthe controller may determine the phase angle. In another embodiment ofthe present invention, the controller 136 utilizes a fixed count for thehalf line cycle T_(HL) 202. For example, the controller 136 may fix thetotal count for the half line cycle T_(HL) 202 to 320 counts. When thetotal count for the half line cycle T_(HL) 202 is fixed, each possibledegree of the phase angle would be fixed to a specific count of thezero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 218. The total count per half line cycleT_(HL) 202 may be chosen such that the percentage error per count iswithin acceptable tolerance levels. The greater the total count per halfline cycle T_(HL) 202, the smaller the percentage error per count, ormathematically:

${{error}\mspace{14mu} {per}\mspace{14mu} {{count}\left( {{expressed}\mspace{14mu} {as}\mspace{14mu} a{\mspace{11mu} \;}{percentage}} \right)} = {\frac{1}{M}(100)}},$

where M is the total count for the half line cycle T_(HL) 202. If thetotal count for the half line cycle T_(HL) 202 is equal to 100 thepercentage error per count would be 1%. If the total count for the halfline cycle T_(HL) 202 is equal to 320 counts, the percentage error percount would be 0.31%. As will be discussed further, FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate how the controller 136 determines the phase angle and usesthe determined phase angle to facilitate dimming

Referring next to FIG. 3A, another example waveform of the rectifiedvoltage V_(RECT) 310 is illustrated including half line cycle T_(HL)302, threshold voltage V_(TH) 304, peak voltage V_(P) 306, and section311. FIG. 3B illustrates the section 311 of the rectified voltageV_(RECT) 310 and the corresponding zero-crossing signal 312. The halfline cycle T_(HL) 302, threshold voltage V_(TH) 304, and the peakvoltage V_(P) 306 may be further examples of the half line cycle T_(HL)202, threshold voltage V_(TH) 204, and the peak voltage V_(P) 206 shownin FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The example waveform of the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 310 is similar tothe rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 shown in FIG. 2A. In the example ofFIG. 2A, the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 is the result of the dimmercircuit 104, such as a triac dimmer, which disconnects the ac inputvoltage V_(AC) 102 at the beginning of every half line cycle T_(HL) 202.However, the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 310 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and3B is a result of a dimmer circuit 104 which disconnects the ac inputvoltage V_(AC) 102 at the end of every half line cycle T_(HL) 302. As aresult, the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 310 is substantially equal tozero voltage at the end of the half line cycle T_(HL) 302. At thebeginning of the half line cycle T_(HL) 302, the rectified voltageV_(RECT) 310 substantially follows the positive magnitude of the acinput voltage V_(AC) 102 until the dimmer circuit 104 disconnects the acinput voltage V_(AC) 102 from the power supply 100. The value of therectified voltage V_(RECT) 310 then falls to substantially zero voltageuntil the beginning of the next half line cycle.

FIG. 3B illustrates the section 311 of the rectified voltage V_(RECT)310 and the corresponding zero-crossing signal 312. Embodiments of thepresent invention utilize the zero-crossing signal 312 to determine thephase angle and subsequently the amount of dimming for the power supply100. When the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 310 is less than the thresholdvoltage V_(TH) 304, the zero-crossing signal 312 indicates that thezero-crossing condition exists. For the example of FIG. 3B, when therectified voltage V_(RECT) 310 is less than the threshold voltage V_(TH)304, the value of the zero-crossing signal 312 is at a logic high value.When the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 310 is greater than the thresholdvoltage V_(TH) 304, the value of the zero-crossing signal 312 is at thelogic low value.

As mentioned above, the length of time during which the zero-crossingsignal 312 is at the logic high value indicating the zero-crossingcondition exists is referred to as the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z)318. The length of the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 318 is utilizedto measure the phase angle and the amount of dimming indicated by dimmercircuit 104. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,the phase angle may be calculated by comparing the zero-crossing pulsewidth T_(Z) 318 with the half line cycle T_(HL) 302, or mathematically:

${{phase}\mspace{14mu} {{angle}\left( {{expressed}\mspace{14mu} {in}\mspace{14mu} {degrees}} \right)}} = {\frac{T_{Z}}{T_{HL}}{(180).}}$

By counting the length of the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 318 andcomparing the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 318 to the length of thehalf line cycle T_(HL) 302, the controller 136 may calculate the phaseangle of the dimmer circuit 104 and determine the amount of dimmingneeded independent of the shape of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 andindependent of variations in the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102.

The controller 136 may use a counter to determine the length of thezero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 318. The counter starts counting whenthe zero-crossing signal 312 pulses to the logic high value, indicatedin FIG. 3B by start time t_(START) 314. The counter stops counting whenthe zero-crossing signal 312 pulses to the logic low value, indicated inFIG. 3B by stop time t_(STOP) 316. The count at stop time t_(STOP) 316which is outputted from the counter is one example of the measurement ofthe zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 318. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the counter may continue counting for the length ofhalf line cycle T_(HL) 302 and the controller may compare the count ofthe zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 318 with the count of the half linecycle T_(HL) 302 to determine the phase angle. In another embodiment ofthe present invention, the controller 136 utilizes a fixed count for thehalf line cycle T_(HL) 302. For example, the controller 136 may fix thetotal count for the half line cycle T_(HL) 302 to 320 counts. When thetotal count for the half line cycle T_(HL) 302 is fixed, each possibledegree of the phase angle would be fixed to a specific count of thezero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 318. The total count per half line cycleT_(HL) 302 may be chosen such that the percentage error per count iswithin acceptable tolerance levels. The greater the total count per halfline cycle T_(HL) 302, the smaller the percentage error per count, ormathematically:

${{{error}\mspace{14mu} {per}\mspace{14mu} {{count}\left( {{expressed}\mspace{14mu} {as}\mspace{14mu} a{\mspace{11mu} \;}{percentage}} \right)}} = {\frac{1}{M}(100)}},$

where M is the total count for the half line cycle T_(HL) 302. If thetotal count for the half line cycle T_(HL) 302 is equal to 100 thepercentage error per count would be 1%. If the total count for the halfline cycle T_(HL) 302 is equal to 320 counts, the percentage error percount would be 0.31%. As will be discussed further, FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate how the controller 136 determines the phase angle and usesthe determined phase angle to facilitate dimming

Referring next to FIG. 4, a functional block diagram of a controller 136is illustrated including feedback signal U_(FB) 134, drive signal 138,current sense input signal 140, voltage sense input signal 142, azero-crossing detector 402, an oscillator 404, a system clock signal405, a counter 406, an optional offset block 407, a digital-to-analogconverter 408 (D/A converter 408), an amplifier 410, a zero-crossingsignal 412, a drive logic block 414 (i.e., a drive signal generator), azero-crossing reference 416, and a reference voltage 418. Thezero-crossing signal 412 is one example of the zero-crossing signalillustrated in FIGS. 2B and 3B. FIG. 4 illustrates how the controller136 measures the phase angle and utilizes the phase angle to change thereference voltage 418 to facilitate dimming of the output of the powersupply 100.

The feedback signal U_(FB) 134, drive signal 138, current sense inputsignal 140, and voltage sense input signal 142 couple and function asdescribed above. The controller 136 further includes the zero-crossingdetector 402 which couples to and receives the current sense inputsignal 140 and the zero-crossing reference 416. The zero-crossingdetector 402 may also receive the voltage sense input signal 142. Thezero-crossing reference 416 represents the threshold voltage V_(TH) (asdiscussed as threshold voltage V_(TH) 204 and 304) and the zero-crossingdetector 402 outputs the zero-crossing signal 412. As mentioned above,the zero-crossing signal 412 indicates when the zero-crossing conditionexists, or in other words when the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 fallsbelow the threshold voltage V_(TH). The zero-crossing signal 412 is arectangular pulse waveform with varying lengths of logic high and logiclow sections. The length between consecutive rising edges of thezero-crossing signal 412 is substantially equal to the half line cycleT_(HL). In addition, the length of time of the logic high sections issubstantially equal to zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z). In oneembodiment, the zero-crossing detector 402 receives informationregarding the rectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 from the voltage sensesignal 142 and the zero-crossing detector 402 generates thezero-crossing signal utilizing the voltage sense signal 142 and thezero-crossing reference 416. In another embodiment, the zero-crossingdetector 402 receives information regarding the rectified voltageV_(RECT) 110 from the switch current I_(D) 144 provided by the currentsense signal 140 and the zero-crossing detector 402 generates thezero-crossing signal utilizing the current sense signal 140 and thezero-crossing reference 416. In a further embodiment, the zero-crossingdetector 402 receives information regarding the rectified voltageV_(RECT) 110 from both the voltage sense signal 142 and the currentsense signal 140 and generates the zero-crossing signal utilizing thecurrent sense signal 140, voltage sense signal 142 and the zero-crossingreference 416.

The relationship between voltage and current of the switch SP 118 whenthe switch SP 118 is ON may be expressed as:

${{V(t)} = {L_{P}\frac{{i(t)}}{t}}},$

where L_(P) is the inductance of the primary winding 114. For powersupplies operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), thisrelationship during any switching cycle may be further expressed as:

${V_{AC} = {L_{P}\frac{I_{PEAK}}{t_{ON}}}},$

where I_(PEAK) is the peak value of the switch current I_(D) 144 andt_(ON) is the on-time of the switch SP 118. However, in one switchingcycle the value of V_(AC) may be considered a constant since the on-timet_(ON) is small relative to the half line cycle T_(HL). For the exampleshown in FIG. 1,

${V_{RECT} = {L_{P}\frac{I_{PEAK}}{t_{ON}}}},$

as such the zero-crossing detector 402 may determine the value of therectified voltage V_(RECT) 110 from the switch current I_(D) 144. Thecontroller 136 may fix a zero-crossing current threshold I_(ZC) and thezero-crossing time threshold t_(CZ) to correspond to the thresholdvoltage V_(TH) (204 and 304) utilizing the relationship between voltageand current of the switch SP 118 when the switch SP 118 is ON in DCM, ormathematically:

$V_{TH} = {L_{P}{\frac{I_{ZC}}{t_{ZC}}.}}$

The zero-crossing detector 402 may determine that the rectified voltageV_(RECT) 110 is less than the threshold voltage V_(TH) (204 and 304) bydetermining when the peak value of the switch current I_(D) 144 is lessthan the zero-crossing current threshold I_(ZC). For one embodiment, thezero-crossing current threshold I_(ZC) is one example of thezero-crossing reference 416.

The zero-crossing detector 402 couples to the counter 406 and thecounter 406 receives the zero-crossing signal 412. In addition, thecounter 406 couples to the oscillator 404 and receives a system clocksignal 405 from the oscillator 404. In one embodiment, the oscillator404 is a line-synchronized oscillator, an example of which is describedin more detail with regard to FIG. 7 below. In one embodiment, thesystem clock signal 405 is a rectangular pulse waveform with varyinglengths of logic high and logic low sections. The length of time betweenconsecutive rising edges is substantially equal to the oscillator periodT_(OSC). The oscillator frequency f_(OSC) may be chosen to be a multipleof the half line frequency f_(HL), or mathematically: f_(OSC)=Mf_(HL)>1,where M is a positive integer. In other words, the half line cycleT_(HL) (T_(HL)=1/f_(HL)) is a multiple of the oscillator period, T_(OSC)(T_(OSC)=1/f_(OSC)), or mathematically:

${T_{OSC} = {\frac{1}{M}T_{HL}}},{M > 1.}$

As mentioned above, the value of M also refers to the total count perhalf line cycle T_(HL). For one embodiment of the present invention, thevalue of M is 320. In one embodiment, the oscillator 404 further couplesto the zero-crossing detector 402 and receives the zero-crossing signal412. As will be further discussed, the oscillator 404 may utilize thezero-crossing signal 412 to determine the half line cycle T_(HL), or inother words the half line frequency f_(HL). When the oscillator 404 is aline-synchronized oscillator, the oscillator 404 may adjust theoscillator frequency f_(OSC) such that the value of M is substantiallyconstant.

The counter 406 is a binary counter which increments in response to thesystem clock signal 405 received from the oscillator 404. Or in otherwords, the counter 406 is a binary counter which increments at everycycle of the oscillator 404. The counter 406 begins counting at therising edge of the zero-crossing signal 412 (shown as start timet_(START) 214 and 314 with respect to FIGS. 2B and 3B) and the counter406 continues to count for the length of the zero-crossing pulse widthT_(Z). In one embodiment, the counter 406 then stops counting at thenext falling edge of the zero-crossing signal (shown as stop timet_(STOP) 216 and 316 with respect to FIGS. 2B and 3B). The internalcount of the counter 406 is then outputted to the offset block 407 asbits B1 through BN. Bits B1 through BN are herein referred to as thephase count. In one example, B1 is the least significant bit (LSB) andBN is the most significant bit (MSB). In one embodiment, the counter 406resets back to zero at the falling edge of the zero-crossing signal 412.In another embodiment, the counter 406 begins counting at the risingedge of the zero-crossing signal 412 and the counter 406 continues tocount for the length of the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z). At the nextfalling edge, the counter 406 forwards the internal count to the offsetblock 407 as bits B1 through BN, herein referred to as the phase count.However, the counter 406 does not reset its internal count until thenext rising edge of the zero-crossing signal 412. In one embodiment, thecounter 406 is a plurality of flip-flops arranged to form anasynchronous counter or a synchronous counter. In accordance withembodiments of the present invention, the phase count (B1 through BN)outputted from counter 406 is representative of the phase angle.Specifically, the phase count (B1 through BN) outputted from counter 406is representative of the phase angle when the total count of every halfline cycle T_(HL) is fixed. Or in other words, the phase count (B1through BN) outputted from counter 406 is representative of the phaseangle when

$T_{OSC} = {\frac{1}{M}T_{HL}}$

and M is substantially constant. In one embodiment, the total count forevery half line cycle T_(HL) is set to 320 counts. Or in other words, Mis equal to 320. In one example, a 90 degree phase angle, correspondingto the dimmer circuit 104 disconnecting the ac input voltage VAC 102 forhalf of the half line cycle T_(HL), would correspond to the counter 406counting to a phase count of 160. In another example, a 45 degree phaseangle, corresponding to the dimmer circuit 104 disconnecting the acinput voltage VAC 102 for a quarter of the half line cycle T_(HL), wouldcorrespond to the counter 406 counting to a phase count of 80.

FIG. 6 is a table 600 illustrating example counts of counter 406. Asmentioned above, the counter 406 increments at every cycle of the systemclock signal 405 when the zero-crossing signal 412 is at the logic highvalue. For an internal count value of 0, bits B1, B2 and B3 are a logiclow value. For an internal count value of 1, bit B1 is at the logic highvalue while bits B2 and B3 remain at the logic low value. For aninternal count of value 7, bits B1, B2 and B3 are at the logic highvalue. Table 600 illustrates a 3-bit counter, however it should beappreciated any number of bits may be included in counter 406.

Referring back to FIG. 4, counter 406 couples to the optional offsetblock 407 and the offset block 407 receives the phase count (B1 throughBN). The offset block 407 provides an offset amount such that when thephase count (B1 through BN) is less than the offset amount, thecontroller 136 does not detect dimming and the reference voltage V_(REF)418 remains at the same value. When the phase count (B1 through BN) isgreater than the offset amount, the controller does detect dimming andthe reference voltage V_(REF) 418 decreases as the phase count (B1through BN) increases. The offset block 407 receives the phase count (B1through BN) and outputs an offset phase count (BIT1 through BITK). Whenthe phase count (B1 through BN) is less than the offset amount, theoffset block 407 outputs a binary output substantially equal to zero. Orin other words the offset phase count (BIT1 through BITK) issubstantially equal to zero. When the phase count (B1 through BN) isgreater than the offset amount, the output of the offset block 407 isthe binary value of the offset amount subtracted from the phase count(B1 through BN). In other words, the offset phase count (BIT1 throughBITK) is substantially equal to the offset amount subtracted from thephase count (B1 through BN). In one embodiment of the invention, theoffset amount may be 64. As discussed above, in one embodiment thecontroller 136 sets the total count of the half line cycle T_(HL) to beequal to 320 (M=320). Utilizing 320 as the total count, and an offsetamount of 64, controller 136 does not detect dimming for a phase angleless than 36 degrees (phase angle=(64/320)(180 degrees)). In oneembodiment, 320 may be chosen for the total count when the counter 406is a binary counter since 64 (offset amount) plus 256 is equal to 320.In one embodiment, the counter 406 may utilize an eight bit binarycounter which may count to 256 (since 2⁸=256) and 64 (since 2⁶=64).

The offset amount partially correlates to the offset which occurs whenthe threshold voltage V_(TH) (shown as threshold voltage V_(TH) 204 and304 in FIGS. 2B and 3B) is a positive non-zero value. In other words,the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z) 218 has a minimum length due to thevalue of the threshold voltage V_(TH) and as such the controller 136does not detect any dimming until the dimmer circuit 104 disconnects theac input voltage V_(AC) 102 for a length of time longer than the minimumlength of the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z). In other words, theoffset amount in offset block 407 partially corresponds to the minimumlength of the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z). In the example where theoffset is 64, the minimum length of the zero-crossing pulse width T_(Z)corresponds to the counter 406 counting to 64. In addition, the offsetamount may be chosen to account for any sudden variance in the ac inputvoltage V_(AC) 102 which could lead to a false detection of dimming

The offset block 407 couples to the D/A converter 408 and the D/Aconverter 408 receives the offset phase count (BIT1 through BITK). Aswill be further illustrated, the D/A converter 408 converts the receivedoffset phase count (BIT1 through BITK) into reference voltage V_(REF)418. In one embodiment, the higher the offset phase count (BIT1 throughBITK) the lower the reference voltage V_(REF) 418. When the controller136 does not utilize the offset block 407, the D/A converter 408converts the phase count (B1 through BN) into reference voltage V_(REF)418. In one embodiment of the present invention, the offset block 407may be integrated with the counter 406. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the offset block 407 may be integrated with the D/Aconverter 407.

The D/A converter 408 further couples to a feedback reference circuit,also referred to as amplifier 410, such that the amplifier 410 receivesthe reference voltage V_(REF) 418. The amplifier 410 also receives thefeedback signal U_(FB) 134. The feedback signal U_(FB) 134 provides thecontroller 136 with information regarding the output quantity U_(O) ofthe power supply 100. In one embodiment, the reference voltage V_(REF)418 is received at the inverting input of the amplifier 410 while thefeedback signal U_(FB) 134 is received at the non-inverting input of theamplifier 410. The output of the amplifier 410 (i.e., feedback referencecircuit) further couples to drive logic block 414. The drive logic blockalso couples to and receives the current sense input signal 140. Asdiscussed above, the current sense input signal 140 represents theswitch current I_(D) 144. Utilizing the output of the amplifier 410 andvarious other parameters, the drive logic block 414 outputs the drivesignal 138 which operates the switch SP 118 to regulate the outputquantity U_(O) to the desired value. In one embodiment, the desiredvalue of the output quantity U_(O) is partially determined by thereference voltage V_(REF) 418. As such, the controller 136 measures thephase angle through the zero-crossing signal 412 and subsequently altersthe reference voltage V_(REF) 418 to facilitate dimming of an LED load.

Referring next to FIG. 5, a functional block diagram of an exampledigital-to-analog converter (D/A converter) 408 is illustrated includingreference voltage V_(REF) 418, current sources 504, 506, 508, and 510,switches S1, S2, S3, and SK, resistor R1 512, reference ground 514, andreference current I_(REF) 516. The offset block 407 is also illustratedin FIGS. 5 along with the phase count (B1 through BN) and the offsetphase count (BIT1 through BITK).

The D/A converter 408 receives the offset phase count (BIT1 throughBITK) from the offset block 407. In one embodiment, the offset block 407provides the offset amount as described above with respect to FIG. 4.When the phase count (B1 through BN) provided by the counter 406 is lessthan the offset amount, the controller 136 does not determine that thedimmer circuit 104 is dimming the output of the power supply 100. Assuch the output of the offset block 407 is a binary output substantiallyequal to zero. Or in other words, BIT1 through BITK outputted from theoffset block are all at a logic low value. However, once the phase count(B1 through BN) is greater than the offset amount provided by the offsetblock 407, the controller 136 determines that the output of the powersupply 100 should be dimmed and the D/A converter 408 will alter thereference voltage V_(REF) 418 such that a higher phase count (B1 throughBN) corresponds to a smaller reference voltage V_(REF) 418. However,when the phase count (B1 through BN) is greater than the offset amountprovided by the offset block 407, the offset phase count (BIT1 throughBITK) outputted by the offset block 407 is the binary value of theoffset amount subtracted from the phase count (B1 through BN).

The offset phase count is exemplified in FIG. 5 as bits BIT1 throughBITK. In one example, BIT1 is the least significant bit (LSB) and BITKis the most significant bit (MSB). The D/A converter 408 furtherincludes current sources 504, 506, 508, and 510 coupled together by wayof switches S1, S2, S3 and SK to provide the reference voltage V_(REF)418. It should be appreciated that the D/A converter 408 may include Knumber of current sources and switches, wherein K is a positive integer.In the example shown in FIG. 5, the value of the current provided bycurrent sources 504, 506, 508, and 510 is weighted depending on the bitof the offset phase count (BIT1 through BITK) with which it isassociated. For example, BIT1 is coupled to enable and disable theswitch S1 to provide a current of I_(1X) from current source 504. BIT2is coupled to enable and disable the switch S2 to provide a current ofI_(2X) from current source 506. For BITK, BITK is coupled to enable anddisable switch SK to provide a current of I_((2̂K)X) from current source510. As shown in FIG. 5, the current I_(2X) from current source 506 isdouble the value of the current I_(1X) from current source 504. In theexample of FIG. 5, current I_((2̂K)X) from current source 510 is a valueof 2̂K time larger than the value of current I_(1X) from current source504. In one example, a logic high value (1) for any of bits BIT1 throughBITK outputted from offset block 407 would correspond to an open (or inother words, disabled) switch while a logic low value (0) for any ofbits BIT1 through BITK outputted from offset block 407 would correspondto a closed (or in other words, enabled) switch. As illustrated, currentsources 504, 506, 508 and 510 are coupled such that current flows to thereference ground 514. In addition, resistance R1 512 is coupled betweenswitches S1 through SK and the reference ground 514. The currentsprovide by any enabled current source from current source 504, 506, 508,or 510 are summed together to provide reference current I_(REF) 516through resistor R1 512. The resultant voltage drop across resistor R1512 is reference voltage V_(REF) 418. As such, the reference voltageV_(REF) 418 is at its highest value when all the switches (S1 throughSK) within the D/A converter 408 are enabled. Or in other words, thereference voltage V_(REF) 418 is at its highest value when the binaryvalue of the offset phase count (BIT1 through BITK) of the offset block407 is substantially equal to zero. Although the embodiment of the D/Aconverter shown includes binary-weighted current sources to convert thedigital input to an analog voltage output, one of skill in the art wouldrecognize that any of the well known structures and techniques forconverting a digital input into a varying analog output could be used inplace of the specific DAC structure disclosed so long as the analogoutput was provided in an appropriate form to be used as a referencevalue to properly modify the feedback information in accordance with thedisclosed invention.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a functional block diagram of an example aline-synchronized oscillator 700 is shown in accordance with theteachings of the present invention. As shown, line-synchronizedoscillator 700 includes a clock frequency generator 702, a cycle countcalculator 704, a clock frequency adjuster 705, a system clock signal706, a count signal 710, a frequency half line cycle signal F_(HL) 708,and a frequency adjust signal F_(ADJ) 712. It should be appreciated thatline-synchronized oscillator 700 and system clock signal 706 is oneexample of the oscillator 404 and system clock signal 405, respectively,illustrated with regards to FIG. 4. As will be further discussed, forembodiments of the present invention the line-synchronized oscillator700 adjusts the frequency (or in other words the period) of the systemclock signal 706 such that the cycle count N is substantially constantfor every half-line cycle T_(HL) of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102regardless of variations to the in frequency of the ac input voltageV_(AC) 102. In addition, the line-synchronized oscillator 700facilitates the use of the controller 136 in regions with different acline frequencies. For example, the frequency of the ac input voltageV_(AC) 102 in the UK is 50 Hertz (HZ) while the frequency of the acinput voltage V_(AC) 102 in the US is 60 Hz. The controller 136 may beutilized in both countries since the line-synchronized oscillator 700provides a substantially constant cycle count N regardless of thefrequency of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102.

In operation, line-synchronized oscillator 700 outputs a system clocksignal 706 in response to a frequency half line cycle signal F_(HL) 708.In one embodiment, the zero-crossing signal 412 may be utilized as thefrequency half line cycle signal F_(HL) 708. The frequency half linecycle signal F_(HL) 708 provides the line-synchronized oscillator 700with information regarding the frequency of the ac input voltage V_(AC)102. Or in other words, the frequency half line cycle signal F_(HL) 708provides the line-synchronized oscillator 700 with information regardingthe half line frequency f_(HL) and the length of the half line cycleT_(HL) (T_(HL)=1/f_(HL)). In operation, system clock signal 706 issynchronized to have a constant cycle count N during every half linecycle T_(HL) of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102. To accomplish this, thefrequency of system clock signal 706 is adjusted such that the cyclecount N of system clock signal 706 remains synchronized to the ac inputvoltage V_(AC) 102. The frequency of the system clock signal 706 mayalso be referred to as the oscillator frequency f_(OSC).

When the cycle count N is not constant, variations in the half linefrequency f_(HL) will vary the cycle count N. As mentioned above, theoscillator frequency f_(OSC) is a multiple of the half line frequencyf_(HL), or mathematically: f_(OSC)=Mf_(TH), M>1, where M is a positiveinteger. In other words, the half line cycle T_(HL) (T_(HL)=1/f_(HL)) isa multiple of the oscillator period, T_(OSC) (T_(OSC)=1/f_(OSC)), ormathematically:

${T_{OSC} = {\frac{1}{M}T_{HL}}},{M > 1.}$

In one embodiment, M is substantially equal to the desired cycle countN_(DES). When the frequency of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102(represented by frequency half line cycle signal F_(HL) 708) isdecreased, or in other words the half line frequency f_(HL) isdecreased, cycle count N may increase over a half line cycle T_(HL) ifthe frequency of system clock signal 206 (or in other words theoscillator frequency f_(OSC) ) remains the same. Similarly, when thehalf line frequency f_(HL) is increased, cycle count N may decrease overa half line cycle T_(HL) if the frequency of system clock signal 206 (orin other words the oscillator frequency f_(OSC)) remains the same. Inone example, during design of line synchronized oscillator 700, adesired cycle count N_(DES) may be preset to 200 for every half linecycle T_(HL) of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102. Following this example,line-synchronized oscillator 700 may adjust the frequency of the systemclock signal 706 (or in other words the oscillator frequency f_(OSC))such that cycle count N for a half line cycle T_(HL) of the ac inputvoltage V_(AC) 102 is 200. In one embodiment, the desired cycle countN_(DES) may be 320 and the line-synchronized oscillator 700 may adjustthe frequency of the system clock signal 706 (or in other words theoscillator frequency f_(OSC)) such that cycle count N for a half linecycle T_(HL) is substantially equal to 320. As mentioned above, thetotal count per half line cycle T_(HL) 202 (also referred to as thedesired cycle count may N_(DES)) be chosen such that the percentageerror per count is within acceptable tolerance levels. The greater thetotal count per half line cycle T_(HL) 202, the smaller the percentageerror per count, or mathematically:

${{error}\mspace{14mu} {per}\mspace{14mu} {{count}\left( {{expressed}\mspace{14mu} {as}\mspace{14mu} a{\mspace{11mu} \;}{percentage}} \right)}} = {\frac{1}{N_{DES}}{(100).}}$

In one embodiment, 320 may be chosen for the desired cycle count N_(DES)when the counter 406 is a binary counter since 64 (offset amount) plus256 is equal to 320. In one embodiment, the counter 406 may utilize aneight bit binary counter which may count to 256 (since 2⁸=256) and 64(since 2⁶=64).

As shown, cycle count calculator 704 receives the frequency half linecycle signal F_(HL) 708 and calculates the number of cycles of thesystem clock signal 706 depending on the frequency of the ac inputvoltage V_(AC) 102 (or in other words, the half line frequency f_(HL)provided by the frequency half line cycle signal F_(HL) 708). In oneexample, the following equation may be used in cycle count calculator704 to determine the cycle count during a current half line cycle:

${N = \frac{C}{f_{HL}}},$

where N is the calculated cycle count for the present half linefrequency f_(HL) of the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 and C is a constant.In operation, count calculator 704 outputs a count signal 710,representative of a difference between current cycle count N and adesired cycle count N_(DES), to clock frequency adjuster 706. Forexample, if cycle count N is equal to 240 and desired cycle countN_(DES) is equal to 200 then count signal 710 may be representative of avalue of 40. The clock frequency adjustor 705 couples to the cycle countcalculator 704 and receives the count signal 710. With the count signal710, the clock frequency adjuster 705 is able to determine the change infrequency required for the system clock 702 to maintain the desiredcycle count N_(DES).

In operation, clock frequency adjuster 705 outputs frequency adjustsignal F_(ADJ) 712 in response to count signal 710. For example, whendesired cycle count N_(DES) is set to 200, clock frequency adjuster 706outputs a freq adjust signal F_(ADJ) 712 that indicates to increase ordecrease the frequency of system clock signal 706 such that the cyclecount N will substantially equal desired cycle count N_(DES). In oneexample, clock frequency adjuster 705 may include a digital to analogconverter DAC which receives the count signal 710 as a digital value andoutputs frequency adjust signal F_(ADJ) 712 as an analog value. In oneexample, frequency adjust signal F_(ADJ) signal 712 may be a currentwith a value determined in response to count signal 710.

As shown, clock frequency generator 702 couples to the clock frequencyadjuster 705 and receives the frequency adjust signal F_(ADJ) 712. Inone example, clock frequency generator 702 may be a variable frequencyoscillator, current controlled oscillator, voltage controlledoscillator, digitally controlled oscillator or the like. In operation,clock frequency generator 702 outputs system clock signal 706 whichvaries in frequency to maintain a certain desired cycle count N_(DES)for each half line cycle T_(HL). In this manner, line-synchronizedoscillator 700 allows for a system clock signal 706 to be synchronizedwith the ac input voltage V_(AC) 102 (representative of frequency halfline cycle signal F_(FL) 708). In other words, the cycle count N of thesystem clock signal 706 for each half line cycle T_(HL) is maintained ata constant value by adjusting the frequency of system clock signal 706(or in other words oscillator frequency f_(OSC)) as described above.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, examples and applications thereof, numerousmodifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled inthe art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth inthe claims.

1. A controller for a switched mode power supply, the controllercomprising: a zero-crossing detector coupled to generate a zero-crossingsignal representative of a phase angle of a dimmer output voltage for ahalf line cycle of the power supply; and a drive signal generator to becoupled to control switching of a switch to regulate an output of thepower supply in response to a feedback signal representative of theoutput, wherein the drive signal generator further controls switching ofthe switch to adjust dimming of the output of the power supply inresponse to the phase angle indicated by the zero-crossing signal. 2.The controller of claim 1, wherein the zero-crossing detector generatesthe zero-crossing signal in response to comparing a voltage sense signalrepresentative of the dimmer output voltage with a zero-crossingreference.
 3. The controller of claim 1, wherein the zero-crossingsignal indicates that a zero-crossing condition exists when a magnitudeof the dimmer output voltage is less than a zero-crossing voltagethreshold.
 4. The controller of claim 1, wherein the zero-crossingdetector generates the zero-crossing signal in response to comparing acurrent sense signal with a zero-crossing reference, wherein the currentsense signal is representative of a switch current flowing through theswitch.
 5. The controller of claim 1, further comprising a feedbackreference circuit to be coupled to compare the feedback signal with areference signal, wherein the controller is adapted to adjust an outputof the feedback reference circuit in response to the phase angle andwherein the drive signal generator controls switching of the switch inresponse to the output of the feedback reference circuit to regulate theoutput of the power supply.
 6. The controller of claim 1, wherein thezero-crossing signal includes a pulse width that is representative of alength of time that a zero-crossing condition at the dimmer outputvoltage exists.
 7. The controller of claim 6, wherein the zero-crossingsignal includes a period that is substantially equal to the half linecycle of the power supply.
 8. The controller of claim 7, wherein thecontroller is configured to calculate the phase angle by dividing thepulse width by the half line cycle.
 9. The controller of claim 1,wherein the controller and the switch are included in an integratedcircuit.
 10. A switched mode power supply, comprising: a switch; anenergy transfer element coupled to the switch and coupled to receive adimmer output voltage; and a controller coupled to the switch toregulate an output of the power supply, wherein the controller includes:a zero-crossing detector coupled to generate a zero-crossing signalrepresentative of a phase angle of the dimmer output voltage for a halfline cycle of the power supply; and a drive signal generator coupled tocontrol switching of the switch to regulate the output of the powersupply in response to a feedback signal representative of the output,wherein the drive signal generator further controls switching of theswitch to adjust dimming of the output of the power supply in responseto the phase angle indicated by the zero-crossing signal.
 11. The powersupply of claim 10, wherein the zero-crossing detector generates thezero-crossing signal in response to comparing a voltage sense signalrepresentative of the dimmer output voltage with a zero-crossingreference.
 12. The power supply of claim 10, wherein the zero-crossingsignal indicates that a zero-crossing condition exists when a magnitudeof the dimmer output voltage is less than a zero-crossing voltagethreshold.
 13. The power supply of claim 10, wherein the zero-crossingdetector generates the zero-crossing signal in response to comparing acurrent sense signal with a zero-crossing reference, wherein the currentsense signal is representative of a switch current flowing through theswitch.
 14. The power supply of claim 10, further comprising a feedbackreference circuit to be coupled to compare the feedback signal with areference signal, wherein the controller is adapted to adjust an outputof the feedback reference circuit in response to the phase angle andwherein the drive signal generator controls switching of the switch inresponse to the output of the feedback reference circuit to regulate theoutput of the power supply.
 15. The power supply of claim 10, whereinthe zero-crossing signal includes a pulse width that is representativeof a length of time that a zero-crossing condition at the dimmer outputvoltage exists.
 16. The power supply of claim 15, wherein thezero-crossing signal includes a period that is substantially equal tothe half line cycle of the power supply.
 17. The power supply of claim16, wherein the controller is configured to calculate the phase angle bydividing the pulse width by the half line cycle.
 18. The power supply ofclaim 10, further comprising a dimmer circuit coupled to the energytransfer element to provide the dimmer output voltage having the phaseangle.
 19. The power supply of claim 10, wherein the output of the powersupply is to be coupled to a load that includes an array of lightemitting diodes.
 20. The power supply of claim 10, wherein thecontroller and the switch are included in an integrated circuit.